(I ) AnEnquiry after a mans Eftate before G o D. CoLoss. 4.8. Whom 1have fent unto youfor the fame purpofe, that he may knowyour efiate andcomfort your hearts. H E elate of a manbefore God is the relati- on that he frandeth in unto God, as God is the free fountainof all fpiritual life and falva- tion, and the determiner of mens everlaíiing conditions either in heaven or in hell : So that when we queflion about a mans tírate , we queírion , Whether he be in Chrifr ornot; Whether he have true grace yea, or no ; Whether he be one of Gods children or no , or whether he be yet no better then a reprobate. There be three things to be con(dered in this definition of every mans efface. Firít, it is a relation untogod; not as a man is in hirnfelf, it may be rich, it may be poot in the world ; but I (peakhere as he is in relation towards God , Whether he be rich towards God, yea or no. I do not (peak as a man in re- gard of others ; It may be he is a father or a forme, a mafrer or a fervant a King or asub jed ; but in relation CO God,Whether Gods fervant or no, Gods childor no. Salute erfpelles, faith B Paul; What a mans elate be- fore God is.
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